Our Foundational Strategy

Since our beginning, the Lexington Co-op has connected the Western New York Community with local food that nourishes people and the planet. That foundation continues to shape the products we carry, the partners we support, and the choices we make every day in our stores. As we navigate an ever-changing world we all benefit when we learn and grow together. We commit to listening to all our stakeholders so we can make sustainable choices easier, more accessible, and more actionable for our owners, vendors, and staff.

We approach sustainability through five key areas:

Community Engagement and Education

Sustainable Product Offering

Reduction of Single-Use Plastic

Waste Reduction and Management

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Check out some of the ways we make sustainable choices easier for you below.

Bring-it-Back Utensils

To reduce plastic waste we switched from plastic utensils to re-usable utensils that customers can bring back to our stores! This program diverts 31,000+ single-use plastic utensils from the landfill every year.

Grab & Go: Pick up clean metal utensils from the tables near the hot bar or store exits.

Use & Return: Take them with you, and on your next visit, return them to the bus bin under the table. All returned utensils are then cleaned and sanitized.

The Bulk

Department

Bring Your Own Containers!

Shopping our Bulk Department means more value and less waste-buy only what you need and reuse your own containers.

With minimal packaging, bulk items are priced lower so you save — and you can buy exactly as much or as little as you need. Bring in your own clean containers to support more sustainable shopping. Mark your calendar for our bi-annual Bulk Sale for owners every March and October.

Jar Library

Got extra jars? Bring ‘em. Forgot yours? We’ve got you.

Our Jar Library at the Hertel store makes shopping in bulk easier and more sustainable. If you have clean, label-free glass jars (and their lids!) that you no longer need, bring them in and drop them into the Jar Library Drop Off bin in the Bulk Department.

We’ll take care of the rest: sanitizing and preparing them for reuse.

Need a jar for your shop? Help yourself to a free, clean jar in the Bulk Dept. Bring it back when you’re done.

Available at our Hertel Avenue store only.

Solar Energy

While you won’t see solar panels on our rooftops, the Co-op purchases electricity from a solar array in South Buffalo through a partnership with a Montante Solar and Pinto Construction Services.

Through this arrangement, we purchase renewable energy credits via a Power Purchase Agreement, reducing our annual electricity costs by 10% while supporting clean energy in our community.

This project generates enough electricity to power approximately 67 homes each year.

Learn more

Paper Wrapped

Grab & Go

We’ve transitioned our sandwiches and wraps from plastic packaging to paper as part of our effort to reduce plastic in Prepared Foods. It’s one step in our broader work to use less plastic and make lower-waste choices wherever we can.

Compostable Produce Bags

We offer compostable produce bags as an alternative to traditional plastic in the produce and bulk departments at both of our stores.

Keep in mind, compostable bags are different from plastic, and there are a few things to know to get the best use out of them: Click below!

Learn more

Compost Your

Food Scraps

In partnership with Farmer Pirates, we collect and compost scraps from our kitchen and produce departments. We also provide a neighborhood drop-off bin at our Hertel store for anyone signed up for this program with Farmer Pirates.

Onion skins? That sad lettuce? They’ve still got purpose. Help divert food scraps away from the landfill and give them a chance to become nutrient-rich soil.

Ready to start composting? Click below!

Sign-Up Here